SOCSCI032 Prelims

Introduction to Globalization, The Story of Stuff

What is the main theme of The Story of Stuff?

It explains the “materials economy”—a linear system of extraction, production, distribution, consumption, and disposal. It shows how this system is unsustainable on a finite planet because it exploits resources, harms workers/communities, and generates waste and pollution.

What is the central message of The Story of Stuff?

“You cannot run a linear system on a finite planet indefinitely.” We must redesign the economy to prioritize people and the planet, not just profit.

What are the 5 stages of the materials economy?

1. Extraction → 2. Production → 3. Distribution → 4. Consumption → 5. Disposal.

What happens during “extraction”?

(Taking resources from Earth)

Resources like trees, minerals, water, and fossil fuels are taken from Earth, often faster than they can be replenished.

What are the problems of extraction?

• Resource depletion.

• Deforestation (80% of original forests are gone).

• Loss of biodiversity.

• Exploitation of poorer countries by industrial nations.

• U.S. example: <5% of the world’s population uses 30% of the resources and produces 30% of the waste.

What happens during “production”?

(Making stuff)

Resources are mixed with energy and toxic chemicals in factories to make consumer goods.

What are the problems of production?

• Over 100,000 synthetic chemicals are in use; many not tested for safety.

• Toxins in → toxins out (toxic products and pollution).

• Factory workers and nearby communities suffer health risks (cancer, asthma, birth defects).

• Energy use contributes to climate change.

What happens during “distribution”?

(Getting stuff to stores)

Products are transported and sold quickly and cheaply.

What are the problems of distribution?

• Costs are “externalized”: companies don’t pay for environmental damage, worker health, or fair wages.

• Workers, communities, and the environment bear hidden costs.

• Goods seem “cheap” but the real price is paid elsewhere.

What happens during “consumption”?

(Buying stuff)

People buy and use products, often influenced by advertising and cultural pressure.

What problems are linked to consumption?

• Planned obsolescence: Products are designed to break/wear out quickly (cheap gadgets, fast fashion).

• Perceived obsolescence: Ads convince people their things are outdated even when they still work (phones, clothing trends).

• 99% of consumer goods are trashed within 6 months.

• Consumer culture → “work-watch-spend” cycle: people work longer hours to buy more stuff but feel less satisfied.

What happens during “disposal”?

(Throwing stuff away)

Products are thrown away, mostly through landfills or incineration.

What are the problems of disposal?

• Incineration releases toxic pollution (dioxins = most toxic man-made substances).

• Landfills pollute air, water, and soil.

• Waste is often exported to poorer countries (e-waste dumping).

• Recycling helps but:

  • Doesn’t reduce overall consumption.

  • Materials often get downcycled (made into lower-quality products).

  • Cannot fix the core problem of overproduction.

What systemic problems does Annie Leonard highlight?

• Linear system on a finite planet is unsustainable.

• Externalized costs let companies profit while people and environment pay.

• Governments often protect corporations over citizens.

• Consumer culture traps people in overwork and overspending.

• Too much waste and pollution for Earth to handle.

What solutions does The Story of Stuff propose?

• Shift to a circular economy (closed-loop system).

• Focus on sustainability (renewable energy, safe products).

• Ensure equity (fair wages, healthy communities).

• Smart consumption (buy less, choose durable goods).

• Citizens must act as changemakers, not just shoppers.

• Collective action (individuals, communities, and governments working together).

What is the role of recycling in this system?

Recycling helps but isn’t enough. It doesn’t address overproduction and overconsumption, and many materials can’t be recycled forever (downcycling).

What key quotes capture the message of The Story of Stuff?

• “You cannot run a linear system on a finite planet indefinitely.”

• “Toxics in, toxics out.”

• “It’s not just about recycling more, but about changing the whole system.”

• “Happiness does not come from more stuff.”

What are the learning outcomes for globalization?

1) Differentiate competing conceptions of globalization,

2) Assess underlying philosophies of its definitions,

3) Trace origins of globalization,

4) Agree on a working definition.

What questions arise when defining globalization?

• Is it integration of economic, political, and cultural systems?

• Is it a force for growth and democracy?

• Is it dominance of developed nations over poorer ones?

• Does it only benefit the rich or also help the poor?

Define globalization.

Globalization is the increasing global relationships of culture, people, and economic activity; the homogenization of tastes due to global communication and transport.

Give two textbook definitions of globalization.

• Grewal/Levy: “Processes by which goods, services, capital, people, information, and ideas flow across national borders.”

• Wild/Wild/Han: “Trend toward greater economic, cultural, political, and technological interdependence among national institutions and economies.”

How does Edward Herman define globalization?

As both an active process of corporate expansion across borders and a structure of cross-border facilities and economic linkages that steadily grow and change.

Characteristics of globalization?

Connectivity,

borderless globe,

free trade,

cultural diversity,

mobility,

IT changes.

Five views on the origin of globalization?

Hardwired,

Cycles,

Phases,

Events,

Broader Recent Changes.

Explain the Hardwired view of globalization.

Globalization stems from basic human urge to seek better life → early spread of humans.

Explain the Cycles view of globalization.

No single origin; globalization occurs in recurring cycles throughout history.

List the phases of globalization.

Eurasian,

Afro-Eurasian,

Oriental I,

Oriental II,

Multicentric,

Euro-Atlantic,

20th Century,

21st Century.

What happened in the Eurasian Phase (3000 BCE)?

Agricultural and urban revolutions, migrations, increased trade, and growth of ancient empires.

What happened in the Afro-Eurasian Phase (1000 BCE)?

Commercial revolutions in Greco-Roman world, West Asia, and East Africa.

What is Oriental Phase I (500 BCE)?

Emergence of world economy with caravan trade in Middle East.

Oriental Phase II (1100 AD)?

Productivity and tech improved in East and South Asia; Silk Road developed.

Multicentric Phase (1500 AD)?

Expansion of trade across Atlantic to the Americas.

Euro-Atlantic Phase (1800)?

Industrialization + colonial division of labor shaped Euro-Atlantic economy.

20th Century Phase (1950)?

Emergence of MNCs, global value chains; Cold War ended.

21st Century Phase (2000)?

East Asia and emerging economies became central to trade; global power rebalance.

Germinal Phase?

Europe (15th–18th c.); heliocentrism, modern geography, Gregorian calendar.

Incipient Phase (mid-1700s–1870s)?

International relations formalized, conventions and agencies emerged.

Take-off Phase (1870s–1920s)?

Faster communication,

Olympics,

Nobel Prize,

World Time,

WWI,

League of Nations.

Struggle-for-hegemony Phase (1920s–1960s)?

WWII, Cold War disputes; UN formed.

Uncertainty Phase (1960s–1990s)?

Third World inclusion, end of Cold War, nuclear spread, global civil society, world media.

Events view of globalization origin?

Specific events:

Roman conquests,

spread of Christianity & Islam,

Viking voyages,

Medieval trade,

Italian banks,

Mongol conquests,

Marco Polo’s travels,

Columbus (1492),

colonialism,

Spanish Flu,

World Wars.

Broader Recent Changes view?

1) U.S. as global power after WWII,

2) Rise of MNCs,

3) Technological & social changes since late 20th c.

Types of globalization?

Economic, social, political.

Define economic globalization.

Extent to which countries trade widely and reduce barriers.

Define social globalization.

Flow of information and ideas across borders (internet, social media, culture).

Define political globalization.

Cooperation among countries in political and institutional matters.

Causes of globalization?

Improved communications,

transport,

free trade agreements,

global banking,

growth of MNCs.

Effects of globalization?

Changed food supply, division of labor, less job security, environmental damage, cultural impacts, rise in anti-globalization protests.

Government impacts of globalization?

• Positive: Economic growth, infrastructure, management skills, interdependence.

• Negative: MNC power, externalized costs, policy influence, tax avoidance, social benefit cuts.

Labor impacts of globalization?

• Positive: Job opportunities, upgraded education, training.

• Negative: Job displacement, loss of industries, lower labor standards, wage pressure, weaker unions.

Reasons for globalization?

Shrinking time/distance via technology,

limited domestic markets,

political/economic stability abroad,

access to knowledge/skills,

lower transport/comm costs,

closeness to raw materials,

WTO and global institutions.

Why is studying globalization important?

Needed for cross-cultural work, promotion of local business, solving global challenges, building global relationships, teamwork in diverse fields.

Three main debates on globalization?

Hyperglobalist, Skeptic, Transformationalist.

Hyperglobalist view?

Global age, global capitalism, decline of nation-state, capitalism & tech drive globalization, global culture (McDonalds/Madonna).

Skeptics’ view?

Regional blocs dominate, states remain powerful, world less interdependent than before, globalization = internationalization dependent on states.

Transformationalist view?

Historically unprecedented interconnectedness; states restructured, global integration & fragmentation both possible; globalization transforms politics.

Typology of order in the contemporary world?

• Globalized system (end of nation-states).

• International (sovereignty & stability).

• World (rights & justice).

• Globalized international (states managing relations while penetrated by global system).

Structural vs purposive elements of contemporary order?

• Structural: polarity, multilateralism, regionalism, global divide.

• Purposive: social state, identity, economic order, liberal rights.

What is the conclusion on globalization in the course?

Globalization has both positive and negative effects, but it is here to stay. Countries must embrace and manage it in today’s contemporary world.